Republicans Dave Soto and Bryant Wolfin will go head-to-head for the Republican nomination for state House of Representatives District 145 seat, currently held by Rep. Rick Francis who is serving his fourth and final term.

Soto of Perryville is entering his first race for state office. He is a small-business owner of Cape Girardeau’s Soto Property Solutions. In addition, Soto is a member of Missouri REALTORS, and has served on the Perry County Hospital Board and on the leadership council of National Federation of Independent Businesses-Missouri.

Wolfin of Ste. Genevieve is entering his second race for state office after falling short in the 2020 Republican primary for Ste. Genevieve’s previous district, House District 116. Wolfin is a businessman who owns convenience stores in St. Mary and Fredericktown and previously served on the Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen.

The Southeast Missourian sent questionnaires to each candidate running in a contested race in order to inform voters on each candidate’s plans for office ahead of the Aug. 6 primary election. Candidates were asked to answer each question in 100 words or less. Any answer significantly longer than 100 words has been cut down to ensure equal representation. Candidate responses are presented as written by the candidate and have only been edited for spelling and grammatical errors.

Why are you running for the House of Representatives?

Soto: I’ve been an advocate over the last decade for property rights in Jefferson City, but as I’ve watched the grim reality folks face today, from squatters, vandalism and crime, I knew I needed to do more than just advocate. That’s part of it. We are blessed to live in this great community, with a wonderful way of life, and I want to fight to protect our conservative and Christian values. That’s worth fighting for.

Wolfin: There are several reasons, but I usually give two main ones. First, we need more champions for liberty in Jefferson City. Few Missouri legislators talk about liberty and our founding principles. I will be that voice and advocate we desperately need! Second, Jefferson City is as broken as Washington D.C.! Our representatives don’t work for us; they work for leadership and lobbyists. We need to elect representatives who recognize this problem and will advocate for change, not “play the game.”

As a state representative, what would your top legislative priority be?

Soto: Crime in our cities is a major concern and needs to be addressed immediately. We need to strengthen our laws today to protect our citizens for tomorrow. We must get the illegal drugs off our streets and the crime out of our communities. Sending our National Guard and Highway Patrol to help secure our border is a good first step in fighting crime in Missouri.

Wolfin: My top priorities are cutting state spending and reclaiming state sovereignty. Currently, we rely on the federal government to subsidize over half of our state budget, and these subsidies come with strings attached that are not in the best interest of Missourians. We must start weaning ourselves off federal dependence, and this begins with drastically reducing our state spending!

Name one state department that is underfunded and one that is overfunded.

Soto: The Departments of Education, Economic Development and Corrections are the biggest of my concerns and will be looked at closely. I think we can find ways to cut across the board.

Wolfin: The most underfunded department is the Department of Corrections, which is currently severely understaffed. Securing adequate funding for employee retention is an absolute must. On the other hand, Tourism is an overfunded department. The proper role of government is to protect our rights, and that’s it. We spend way too much taxpayer money on marketing tourism in this state, an industry the government shouldn't be involved in.

What is the most significant challenge the state faces at the moment?

Soto: Our cost of living continues to increase as does our budget. We must find ways to grow our economy, and add new jobs and industry to Missouri. We need to manage growth while decreasing our costs.

Wolfin: The economy and inflation are pressing issues. Prices have skyrocketed nationwide, and Missouri is no exception. As a state, we can do more to combat these failed federal policies. Making gold and silver legal tender in Missouri and reducing the tax burden on Missourians are two effective solutions. These steps would be a great start in the battle against inflation and in restoring our economy!

Gun violence is an increasingly cited concern among residents. What actions might legislators take to address the issue?

Soto: We need to continue to enforce our laws and prosecute those who commit gun violence. More can be done to provide resources for those with mental health issues. More laws isn’t the answer. Enforcing the laws we have is.

Wolfin: Gun violence is a serious issue, but restricting gun rights isn’t the solution. Legislators should focus on upholding the Second Amendment, addressing mental health and encouraging responsible gun ownership. Protecting individual freedoms while ensuring community safety is essential.

Law enforcement salaries are often cited as a factor in recruiting and retaining officers. Can/should the state help local governmental bodies boost officer salaries/benefits?

Soto: The state should absolutely help. Public safety is the backbone of balance in our society. We cannot have law and order without ensuring those who protect us are taken care of.

Wolfin: Law enforcement salaries are important, but state involvement isn't the answer. Local governments should manage their budgets independently and prioritize law enforcement. Decentralized solutions, not state mandates, are the best way to address recruitment and retention while respecting taxpayers and local autonomy.

Changes to the state’s constitution require 50% plus 1 vote. Should that threshold be higher? If so, what should be the requirement to change the constitution?

Soto: Initiative petition does need to change. Our state constitution shouldn’t be so easy to modify. There were several bills entered in the past couple of years to change the process. Some were so restrictive that it would be impossible to get a citizen-led change passed. We need to find the right balance between too simple and too restrictive. The citizens should have a say yet make it fair to all Missourians.

Wolfin: Absolutely, there should be a higher threshold to amend the state constitution. Our constitution is meant to be the framework of our government, not a statute book. Like the U.S. Constitution, it should be very difficult to change. I support making the amendment process more stringent, ideally with a 75% voter threshold. This is similar to the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that three-fourths (75%) of state legislatures must ratify an amendment. This is a straightforward but effective solution.

Southeast Missouri is not seeing major highway improvements in the region. Better access to four-lane roadways would help the region economically. What can our region’s lawmakers do to boost highway funding for the region?

Soto: The biggest thing is having a strong voice. Southeast Missouri is under represented in the budget committee and I have already campaigned to be on that committee so that I can advocate for our region.

Wolfin: Improving highways is crucial for our economic growth. Lawmakers must recognize that Southeast Missouri is rapidly growing and needs more highway funding. St. Louis and Kansas City often receive priority, but this imbalance isn’t right. I aim to join the budget committee to advocate for fair funding distribution, ensuring our district and the entire Southeast region gets the support they deserve.